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High Seas, Winds Feature In Central Pacific Weather Outlook

Friday: February 15, 2008

(PEAC)

The Pacific El Nino/Southern Oscillation Applications Climate (PEAC) Center has released its quarterly bulleting forecasting climate trends for the U.S. –Affiliated Pacific Islands for the next three month. Highlights follow.

Through April 2008 it’s likely that one or two tropical cyclones will pass close enough to American Samoa to bring gusty northwesterly winds to near gale strength at exposed locations and across territorial waters.

All computer models...indicate that the rainfall will be above normal in Guam and the CNMI for the next three months.

All of the islands of Yap State should have abundant rainfall for the next three months, and will probably remain we for most months of the coming year.

Higher than normal sea level coupled with high surf is likely to cause more inundation events in Chuuk Lagoon and other low islands in Chuuk State.

The PEAC Center strongly recommends that residents of Kapingamarangi (Pohnpei) continue voluntary water conservation and other technical measures to ensure an adequate supply of potable water for the next 3-6 months.

Gusty winds coupled with elevated sea level could lead to a few episodes of minor coastal inundation and coastal erosion in Pohnpei State.

There could be rough seas and elevated sea levels on the eastern reefs and the eastern shoreline of Kosrae.

Palau could experience one or two episodes of near-gale (25 to 30mph) westerly winds associated with tropical cyclones passing to the north during April-June and three or four such episodes of gusty winds and heavy showers during October-December 2008.

Because of dry conditions in 2007, low rainfall in the next two to three months might impact potable water supplies on some atolls in northern Marshall Islands. Residents of the northern RMI and urged to participate in voluntary water conservation measures.

www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso